About eight months ago, when Kadhem Juwad Kathem suffered symptoms of a congenital heart defect, he came to the attention of the 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard, where he was seen by a military surgeon.

Since then, the troops have "adopted" Kadhem and his family. After countless attempts to get Kadhem and his father out of Iraq, the soldiers were successful, and last week, sent him to Texas to one of the best heart centers in the world at Texas Children's Heart Center in Houston.

Under the care of Dr. Charles D. Fraser Jr., chief of congenital heart surgery at Texas Children's, Kadhem underwent a 5-hour surgery to successfully treat the congenital heart defect.

"Kadhem was born with a severe congenital heart defect known as Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)," says Dr. Fraser, also chief of the Division of Congenital Heart Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

"This means that both the aorta and pulmonary arteries of his heart arise from the right ventricle. He also had obstruction of blood flow to the lungs. This defect is in a category of a condition that we frequently treat here at Texas Children's Heart Center."

After Kadhem and his father arrived in Houston, specialists at Texas Children's Heart Center began an evaluation of his condition to determine if surgery would help him as the troops had hoped.

Specialists Optimistic About Outcome

After a series of cardiology tests, such as an echocardiogram, EKG, chest x-ray and 24-hour Holter monitor, his condition was diagnosed as operable.

"The troops fell in love with the young child," said Captain Richard Jinks, public affairs officer of the Texas Army National Guard. "They wanted to send him home to Texas to one of the best pediatric Heart Centers in the world. They sought aid for Kadhem's travel and hospital expenses through private and corporate humanitarian sources."

"It is wonderful to hear how the Guard worked to help Kadhem have a healthier future," says Fraser. "Our team of specialists at the Heart Center is optimistic about an excellent outcome, and we're happy to be able to participate in the care of this child."

Texas Children's Hospital, the nation's largest pediatric hospital, is ranked No. 4 by Child magazine and US News & World Report.